You're so close. You have somewhere around a month left of high school. One more month of after-school practice, of AP classes, of seeing yourself on posters in the hallway, and of being known as the sum of your choices over the last four years. And then, I'll be honest, life gets really different. Whether you hate high school or love it, it's rapidly drawing to a close, and you probably can't wait for what's ahead. In fact, you've spent the last year preparing for the future: applications, college visits, standardized tests, RoomSurf, choosing a major… everything you need to figure out in order to start the rest of your life. And by this point, you have it pretty much all figured out and ready to go…

But you're still in high school. It's a frustratingly weird limbo to have one foot in high school and the other in college, but I want to challenge you to plant both feet firmly in high school and make the most of the time you have left. I understand the anticipation of putting these four years behind you and experiencing what lies ahead, but do not wish away the end of your senior year.

You are still in class with people who have never known a true friend. You still play sports with teammates who have become like family. You still spend week nights on your best friend's bed laughing about things no one else would find funny. And you have about a month left of it. One month. A lot can happen in a month, my friends. Lives can be changed forever, or they can remain untouched. It isn't a time to wish away.

So don't be restricted by trying to impress people.

Don't hesitate to leave your mark on the lives of friends and enemies alike.

Invest in people more than grades. I hate to say it, but this is the time in your life when grades matter the least. So as long as your grades are staying afloat, it won't hurt to focus a little more heavily on people than homework.

Dance a lot.

Be bold in reaching out to people. If I could say this 100 times, I would. People can change drastically at the end of high school simply because someone cared more about them than their own comfort.

Give your activities your best effort all the way to the end. People are still looking up to you.

Thank the adults who have helped shape you over the last couple years. Sacrifice doesn't even begin to describe the way your parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors have invested in you. High schoolers can be a pain, man.

Celebrate your best friends and cherish every moment with them. It could be a while before you're together again.

Ask your parents to go on an ice cream date with you. You have the opportunity every day now, but soon you won't have that luxury.

Make sure your siblings know how much you love them. It gets hard to communicate as often as you should down the road, and you want to leave no doubt in their mind.

Don't waste time putting makeup on every day. I honestly don't know why I tried… I am an afterthought at most to those people now.

Ask questions and gain absolute certainty in your beliefs. A day is coming when not everyone will share them, and your commitment to the truth will be tested.

Hug your mom often.

Have fun with your best friends. You still have a month's worth of inside jokes and memories to make before you have to focus on saying goodbye.